Troops rush to rescue wild jumbo victimized in LTTE mine

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Troops rush to rescue wild jumbo victimized in LTTE mine
Tragic and serious consequences that follow the past violence of LTTE terrorism are still not over as the story below tells us.
A fully-grown wild elephant, apparently cut off from the rest of its herd has entered Periyamadu Tank area in Omanthai, most probably in search of water, but it got one of its hind legs badly injured, following explosion of an LTTE mine, laid by defeated terrorists.
The impact of the explosion made it to fall into the nearby patch of muddy water, a partly dried section of the main Periyamadu tank. Seriousness of the injuries on the leg did not permit it to rise up, but its fellow-elephants signaled the disaster that has befallen their colleague.
Soldiers in the nearby Omanthai Army camp under 611 Brigade responded to the unusual SOS of those majestic animals swiftly and jumped out to find out what was going on in their surroundings. To their dismay, they saw the desperate wild jumbo stuck in the muddy water and pleading for help.
Lieutenant Colonel Dinesh Nanayakkara at 611 Brigade Headquarters on the instructions of his Commander Brigadier Devindra Perera immediately alerted Wildlife Department officials who rushed to the scene along with the veterinary surgeon for northwestern range, Dr Chandana Jayasinghe.
They immediately had to pull out the injured elephant from water as the initial phase before treatment commenced. It was a Herculean task as no machinery was available at hand, but concerned Army soldiers promptly responded and jointly managed to draw the pachyderm out of the muddy water. The medical team immediately tranquilized the elephant and stared treating the wounds in the leg, caused by the mine explosion. Injuries were serious and bleeding, but the initial treatment with infusion of saline brought a glimpse of hope for its survival.
At the moment, the elephant has regained its consciousness but is still unable to stand up. Medical treatment is still continuing as the Army troops are extending emergency help.